insistence

American  

[in-sis-tuhns] / ɪnˈsɪs təns /

noun

1. the act or fact of insisting.

2. the quality of being insistent.

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Other Word Forms

• noninsistence
  noun
• overinsistence
  noun
• superinsistence
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of insistence

First recorded in 1605–15; insist + -ence

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Explanation

Insistence is when someone persists in forcefully asking for or requiring something. A parent's insistence might be the only reason an unmotivated teenager sits down and does his homework. A store manager's insistence on selling things for the lowest prices might be the thing that keeps customers coming back, and your insistence on reading your speech first in class might get you to the front of the line. When you insist on something, you demand it — both words come from the Latin insistere, "persist, dwell upon, or stand upon," from in-, "upon," and sistere, "take a stand."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

insistence

The move had been widely anticipated and reverses his insistence he would not seek re-election, which the Slovenian initially outlined in February 2024.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

But the insistence that they do brings Nixon into the room with Saddam.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

But after pandemic lockdowns, Americans have grown more wary of the state’s insistence that certain security measures are necessary to keep them safe.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

Danny Leigh of the Financial Times awarded the film three stars, external, praising the chemistry between Holland and Zendaya but criticising the film's insistence on falling back on CGI-heavy action sequences.

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026

Now Rae’s insistence upon staying at her own house last night to “prepare for the big day” makes sense.

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone

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Related Words

• emphasis
• persistence
• urging

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